The Economic Times

At 13, Lionel Messi was signed by Barcelona on a napkin. At 29, years of criticism made him quit football. But he came back to gift Argentina the FIFA World Cup after 36 years

Lionel Messi has finally retired from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable Argentina career that included heartbreak, criticism, a brief retirement and, ultimately, World Cup glory. The journey began when Barcelona signed him at 13 in an agreement famously written on a napkin. At 29, after Argentina lost another major final, Messi quit the national team, but returned weeks later. He went on to win the 2021 Copa America and captain Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ending the country's 36-year wait for the trophy.